For the ninth consecutive day, protests have erupted in Kyiv and across Ukraine in response to the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov from his position as Minister of Defense. According to Suspilne, citizens gathered in central locations to voice their opposition to the government’s recent cabinet reshuffling. In Kyiv, hundreds of protesters, many of them young people, congregated near the Ivan Franko National Theater.
The demonstrators carried signs stating “Fedorov is Ukraine’s Defense Minister” and “The people are not a decoration of democracy.” Participants expressed skepticism regarding the necessity of changing leadership within the defense sector during the ongoing full-scale war. The protesters argue that continuity and established expertise in the Ministry of Defense are critical for the nation’s security architecture.
The movement has expanded beyond the capital, with demonstrations reported in major cities including Lviv, Kharkiv, Poltava, and Ivano-Frankivsk. This widespread mobilization highlights the significant public influence on government personnel policy. The protesters remain unconvinced by the administration’s proposed alternatives.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that he held a meeting with Fedorov to discuss his future role, specifically suggesting the position of Deputy Prime Minister for Military Innovation. Despite these discussions, the demonstrators emphasize that they are seeking the reinstatement of the former minister to the defense post specifically. The ongoing situation underscores the growing tension between government executive decisions and the expectations of a highly active and vigilant Ukrainian civil society.